Moving from Port St. Lucie, FL to Raleigh, NC
It is 692 mi between Port St. Lucie and Raleigh β roughly 12h 40m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
692 mi Β· 12h 40m by car Β· NC β SC β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β SC β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 40, I 295 |
| Major cities en route | Durham, Cary, Fayetteville, Savannah, Jacksonville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Port St. Lucie | Raleigh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.228 | 98.157 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.031 | 88.96 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.642 | 103.476 | 100.0 |
Port St. Lucie and Raleigh sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Port St. Lucie β, Raleigh -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Port St. Lucie | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 57Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 4.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 58.9" | 49.4" |
Annual temperature drops 14.1Β°F moving to Raleigh per NOAA normals.
Expect 4.5 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NETTLES IS, FL US, RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Port St. Lucie | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 470,763 |
| Median household income | $78,137 | $82,424 |
| Median age | 43.7 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.78 | 2.39 |
Households in Raleigh earn about 2.1% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Raleigh MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,880 | $43,660 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 75,400 | $39,140 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 60,210 | $28,910 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 57,420 | $35,780 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 56,150 | $79,300 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Carolina's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Raleigh average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (14.1Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October, particularly on the Outer Banks.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Port St. Lucie to Raleigh?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 692 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Port St. Lucie vs Raleigh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,424 in Raleigh vs $78,137 in Port St. Lucie β a 5.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Raleigh, NC from Port St. Lucie, FL?
The driving distance is 692 mi and the route typically takes 12h 40m via I 95 and I 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Raleigh compare to Port St. Lucie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA vs $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA, on total employment of 702,580 and 163,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Raleigh more expensive than Port St. Lucie?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Raleigh is 2.1% lower than Port St. Lucie (98.157 vs 100.228, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Port St. Lucie.
City profiles: Port St. Lucie, FL Β· Raleigh, NC.